What happened: His first MLS minutes came Feb. 28, when he entered in the 88th minute. Matthew Arana signed his first-team contract in February after joining the academy in 2021.
Why it matters: The cap advances the academy-to-first-team pathway for the youngest first-team signing in club history. Continued senior minutes would broaden his role beyond developmental competition.
By the numbers: Through June 24, Arana had 10 MLS NEXT Pro appearances, two goals and two assists in 2026. He recorded five appearances, one start and one assist in 2025.
What to watch: The next measure is whether Arana earns more minutes during the remaining 2026 regular-season schedule.